Tube-type product conveyor apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to conveyor apparatus, particularly for use in conveying large quantities of heavy bulky and/or dry materials over a long distance. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention may be constructed in out-of-the-way areas over deteriorated or difficult courses, such as rubble. This is achieved by the use of a tube-like elongated passage through which a plurality of joined conveyor cars pass. The elongated passage has openings in the bottom for receiving therealong spaced apart primary windings for a linear electric motor. The cars, in turn, have mounted in the bottom surface thereof the secondary of the motor. The apparatus includes air vents for accommodating air movements ahead of and behind the cars switching arrangements and provision for loading and unloading.

I claim: 
     
       1. Tube-type conveyor apparatus, comprising (a) a tube-shaped conveyor passage;   (b) a conveyor vehicle for said passage;   (c) an electric linear drive motor for said conveyor vehicle; characterized by   (d) a plurality of spaced recesses located at the bottom of said conveyor passage;   (e) a plurality of motor primary parts fixed in spaced alignment and positioned in said recesses;   (f) a motor secondary positioned on said vehicle in the bottom thereof; and   (g) said secondary facing said spaced primary parts.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) each said primary part is comprised of a plurality of joined sections;   (b) said joined sections extending transversely of said conveyor passage; and   (c) said joined sections positioned to conform to the shape of said opposed motor secondary.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) the distance between said spaced fixed primary parts is less than the length of said conveyor vehicle.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) guard means on said plurality of fixed motor primary parts to prevent contact therewith by said conveyor vehicle.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said linear motor is designed for a momentary increase in the power line voltage to the √ two-fold nominal value for twice the power.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said conveyor vehicle comprising (a) a plurality of joined together sections; and   (b) a plurality of wheels on each section.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6, further characterized by (a) said plurality of sections are comprised of an elastic material.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7, further characterized by (a) each said section including a motor secondary part; and   (b) said secondary part forming the frame for said wheels.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8, further characterized by (a) each said secondary includes an iron grounding.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9, further characterized by (a) each said secondary and iron grounding is curved to conform to said conveyor passage.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said tube shaped conveyor passage has a continuous opening along the top surface thereof;   (b) said conveyor passage is comprised of an elastic material; and   (c) the opposed edges of said opening include sealing ridges.   
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11, further characterized by (a) a plurality of spaced annular springs surrounding said conveyor passage; and   (b) the opening of each said spring positioned at the top of said passage.   
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said conveyor vehicle is in the form of an elastic flat belt-like structure.   
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13, further characterized by (a) a plurality of spaced divider panels positioned along said belt-like structure.   
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) air ducts connecting said spaced recesses along said tube-shaped passage.   
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) a pivoting switch in said passage for joining said passage to branch passages.   
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by (a) said conveyor passage is elastic;   (b) means connected to a section of said passage for pivoting one end thereof; and   (c) said pivoting elastic end pivotable to several branch tube conveyor passages.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said pivoting means including (a) rails transverse of said conveyor passage;   (b) a sliding block surrounding said conveyor passage and movable on said rails; and   (c) a reversible hydraulic cylinder connected for movement of said sliding block.